Wind musical instrument



Jan. 26, 1965 R. J. LINTON 3,166,959

WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed March 27, 1963 INVENTOR. R0 kson Lmfon BY 7JGC ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,166,969 WlND MUSICAL INTRU1WENT Roy Jackson Linton, Elkhart, ind, asslgnor to Linton Mfg. (10., Inc., Elkhart, Ind. Filed Mar. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 268,222 11 Claims. (Cl. 84-380) This invention relates to musical instruments of the type comprising a plurality of elongated tubular body members, some of which are disposed in side by side relation.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a musical instrument of the bassoon or oboe type comprising a plurality of tubular body members, some of which are disposed in side by side relation with coupling means which permits rapid assembling and disassembling of the members and which holds them securely in assembled relation.

Second, to provide a musical instrument of this type in which the sections or members are quicldy assembled without the aid of tools and are effectively secured in assembled relation for use of the instrument.

Third, to provide a musical instrument of this class or type in which the means for holding the parts in assembled relation are inconspicuous.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will a pear from the descrintion to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

lG. l is a fragmentary side View of a musical instrument of the bassoon type embodying my invention, only a few of the keys commonly provided in such instruments being illustrated and these being shown conventionally.

Flt}. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional corresponding to line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

PEG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section illustrating ertain of the detachable connections for the body members 3 of the embodiment illustrated.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating the body members in partially assembled relation by full lines; the manner of disassembling and assembling certain of the body members being indicated by dotted lines.

FIG. is a fragmentary view illustrating the coacting fastener members in disassembled relation.

in the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my invention as embodied in a bassoon. It will be understood that only some keys are conventionally illustrated as the structural details thereof form no part of my present invention and they may be such as are now in use in instruments of this type.

The first body member 1 is of a length substantially exceeding that of the second body member 2, these body members being arranged in substantially parallel side by side relation to each other. These body members 1 and 2 have passages 3 and 4 therein.

The third body member 5 has passages 6 and 7 therein connected at their outer ends and constituting continuations of and connecting means for the passages 3 and 4 and the body members 1 and 2. This outer body memher 5 is provided with annular sockets 8 and 9 in which the coupling members ll) and 11 of the first and second body members are in fitting telescoping engagement when the parts are in assembled relation as illustrated in FlG. 3.

A reinforcing sleeve or collar 12 is embracingly mounted on the inner end of the body member 5 and is preferably countersunk therein as is illustrated in FIG. 3 and serves to reinforce the portion of the outer body member having the sockets 8 and 9 therein.

It will be noted that the first and second body members are telescopingly engaged with the sockets of the third View on a line Fatented Jan. 26, 1965 "ice body member and they are laterally supported relative to each other by such engagement. Coupling means for preventing longitudinal movement of the body members 1 and 2 and clamping them together comprise the snap fastener members 13 and 1 the fastener member 13 being the socket member and it is seated in a recess 15 nrovided therefor in the side of the body member 2, see HG. 2, and is secured thereto by the screw 15 threaded into an opening 17 provided therefor. The fastener membar 1 2- is secure to the flattened surface 13 of the body member by means of the screw 19 and is of the type bly engaged in the coacting socket fastener memin-e-se snap fastener members are conventionally illustrated as they are of the commercial type.

The mouthe 2-) is also conventionally illustrated. in assembling, the body members 1 and 2 are disposed 16.3 by side re tion and these snap fastener members 13 and 1d are engaged. The members i and 2 thus coupled are insertec in the third body member 5 as is illusn 1 and 2. With the parts thus arranged, all three body mem era are effectively anchored. if desired, means may be provided for connecting the body member 5 to the body members 1 and 2 but there is suiiic' nt friction so that such additional securing means is not y deemed necessary.

In p ferred embodiment of invention, the first and second and third body members are of molded thermoplastic material. These body members being formed of thermoplastic material do not shrink or swell in varying atmosph ic conditions and that is a desirable feature as highly practical commercial embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate various modifications in structural adaptations for which my invention is capable as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A musical instrument of the class described comprising an elongated tubular first body member provided with a mouthpiece, an elongated tubular second body member of a length substantially exceeding and projecting inwardly beyond the mouthpiece of said first body member, said first and second body members when in assembled relation being in side by side substantially parallel relation to each other, a third body member having two passages therein connected at their outer ends, there being annular sockets at the inner ends of said passages of a diameter exceeding that of the passages, said first and second body members having integral coupling members at their outer ends fittingly and slidably engaged in said sockets in the inner end of said third body member, said body members all being of molded therrnoplastic material, a reinforcing sleeve fittingly embracing the inner end portion of the third body member having said sockets therein, said sleeve being countersunk into said thir body member so that its outer surface is flush with the outer surface thereof, and coacting snap fastener members of the socket and stud type fixedly secured on opposed sides of said first and second body members in substantially spaced relation to the end portions thereof engaged in said sockets in said third body member, said body members being provided with tone controlling keys which are exposed for manipulation when the body members are in their assembled relation.

2. A musical instrument of the class described comprising an elongated tubular first body member provided o with a mouthpiece, an elongated tubular second body member of a length substantially exceeding and projecting inwardly beyond the mouthpiece of said first body member, said first and second body members when in assembled relation being in side by side substantially parallel relation to each other, a third body member having two passages therein connected at their outer ends, there being annular sockets at the inner ends of said passages of a diameter exceeding that of the passages, said first and second body members having integral coupling members at their outer ends fittingly and slidably engaged in said sockets in the inner end of said third body member, and coacting snap fastener members of the socket and stud type fixedly secured on opposed sides of said first and second body members in substantially spaced relation to the end portions thereof engaged in said sockets in said third body member, said body members being provided with tone controlling keys Which are exposed for manipulation when the body members are in their assembled relation.

3. A musical instrument of the bassoon type comprising elongated first and second body members having air passages therein, said first and second body members when assembled being disposed in side by side relation to each other, a third body member having two passages therein connected at their outer ends, there being annular sockets at the inner ends of said passages of a diameter exceeding that of the passages, said first and second body members having integral coupling members at their outer ends fittingly and slidably engaged in said sockets in the inner ends of said third body member, a reinforcing sleeve ttingly embracing the inner end of the third body member having said sockets therein, said sleeve being countersunk into said third body member so that its outer surface is fiush with the outer surface thereof, and coacting fastener members of the socket and stud type fixedly secured on opposed sides of said first and second body members in substantially spaced relation to the end portions thereof engaged in said sockets in said third body member, said body members being provided with tone controlling keys which are exposed for manipulation when the body members are in their assembled relation.

4. A musical instrument of the bassoon type comprising elongated first and second body members having air passages therein, said first and second body members when assembled being disposed in side by side relation to each other, a third body member having two passages therein connected at their outer ends, there being annular sockets at the inner ends of said passages of a diameter exceeding that of the passages, said first and second body members having integral coupling members at their outer ends fittingly and slidably engaged in said sockets in the inner ends of said third body member, said sleeve being countersunk into said third body member so that its outer surface is flush with the outer surface thereof, and coacting fastener members of the socket and stud type fixedly secured on opposed sides of said first and second body members in substantially spaced relation to the end portions thereof engaged in said sockets in said third body member, said body members being provided with tone controlling keys which are exposed for manipulation when the body members are in their assembled relation.

5. A musical instrument of the bassoon type comprising elongated first and second body members having air passages therein, said first and second body members when assembled being disposed in side by side relation to each other, a third body member having two air passages therein connected at their outer ends, said first and second body members having coupling portions at their outer ends telescopingly engaged with the inner end of said third body member with the passages therein registering with the passages of said third body member, said body members being of molded thermoplastic material, a reinforcing sleeve fittingly embracing the inner end portion of the third body member having sockets therein, and coasting springably engageable fastener members fixedly secured in alignable relation to adjacent sides of said first and second body members in substantially spaced relation to the portions thereof engaged in said sockets in said third body member.

6. A musical instrument of the basson type comprising elongated first and second body members having air passages therein, said first and second body members when assembled being disposed in side by side relation to each other, a third body member having two air passages therein connected at their outer ends, said first and second body members having coupling portions at their outer ends telescopingly engaged with the inner end of said third body member with the passages therein registering with the passages of said third body member, a reinforcing sleeve fittingly embracing the inner end portion of the third body member having sockets therein, and coacting springably engageable fastener members fixedly secured in alignable relation to adjacent sides of said first and second body members in substantially spaced relation to the portions thereof engaged in said sockets in said third body member.

7. A musical instrument of the bassoon type comprising elongated first and second body members having air passages therein, said first and second body members when assembled being disposed in side by side relation to each other, a third body member having two air passages therein connected at their outer ends, said first and sec ond body members having coupling portions at their outer ends telescopingly engaged ith the inner end of said third body member with the passages therein registering with the passages of said third body member, said body members being of molded thermoplastic material, and coacting spn'ngably engageable fastener members fixedly secured in alignable relation to adjacent sides of :said first and second body members in substantially spaced relation to the portions thereof engaged in said sockets in said third body member.

8. A musical instrument of the class described comprising elongated first and second body members having air passages therein, said first and second body members being disposed when assembled in side by side relation to each other, a third body member having air passages therein connected at their outer ends, said first and second body members having coupling portions at their outer ends telescopingly engaged with the inner end of said body member with the passages therein registering with the passages of said third body member, said body members being of molded thermoplastic material, a reinforcing sleeve embracing the telescoping portions of said body members, and coacting thrust 'engageable pull releasable fastener members secured to the opposed sides of said first and second body members in substantial outwardly spaced relation with the portions thereof which are engaged with said third body member and in laterally aligned relation to each other when said first and second body members are positioned to be telescopingly engaged in said body member.

9. A musical instrument of the class described comprising elongated first and second body members having air passages therein, said first and second body members being disposed when assembled in side by side relation to each other, a third body member having air passages therein connected at their outer ends, said first and second body members havin coupling portions at their outer ends telescopingly engaged withthe inner end of said body member with the passages therein registering with the passages of said third body member, said body members being of molded thermoplastic material, and coacting thrust engageable pull releasable fastener members secured to the opposed sides of said first and second body members in susbstantial outwardly spaced relation with the portions thereof which are engage-s with said third body member and in laterally aligned relation to each 5; other when said first and second body members are positioned to be telescopingly engaged in said body member.

10. A musical instrument of the class described comprising elongated first and second body members having air passage therein, said first and second body members being disposed when assembled in side by side relation to each other, a third body member having air passages therein connected at their outer ends, said first and second body members having coupling portions at their outer ends telescopingly engaged with the inner end of said body member with the passages therein registering with the passages of said third body member, a reinforcing sleeve embracing the telescoping portions of said body members, and coacting thrust engageable pull releasable fastener members secured to the opposed sides of said first and second body members in substantial outwardly spaced relation with the portions thereof which are engaged with said third body member and in laterally aligned relation to each other when said first and second body members are positioned to be telescopingiy engaged in said body member.

11. A musical instrument of the class described co 1;.- prising elongated first and second body members having air passages therein, said first and second body members being disposed when assembled in side by side relation to each other, a third body member having air passages 6 therein connected at their outer ends, said first and second body members having coupling portions at their outer ends telescopingly engaged with the inner end of said body member with the passages therein registering with the passages of said third body member, and coacting thrust engageable pull releasable fastener members secured to the opposed sides of said first and second body members in substantial outwardly spaced relation with the portions thereof which are engaged with said third body member and in laterally aligned relation to each other when said first and second body members are positioned to be telescopingly engaged in said body member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 690,111 Knittel Dec. 31, 1901 1,046,654 Samuels Dec. 10, 1912 1,846,736 Kimbell Feb. 23, 1932 1,856,813 Jones May 3, 1932 2,971,423 Leblanc Feb. 14, 1961 3,094,632 Linton June 18, 1963 OTHER REFERENCES P.T.M. Wenzel Schreiber Bassoons, pp. 19-22, January1964, vol. 61, No. l. 

1. A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED COMPRISING AN ELONGATED TUBULAR FIRST BODY MEMBER PROVIDED WITH A MOUTHPIECE, AN ELONGATED TUBULAR SECOND BODY MEMBER OF A LENGTH SUBSTANTIALLY EXCEEDING AND PROJECTING INWARDLY BEYOND THE MOUTHPIECE OF SAID FIRST BODY MEMBER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND BODY MEMBERS WHEN IN ASSEMBLED RELATION BEING IN SIDE BY SIDE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION TO EACH OTHER, A THIRD BODY MEMBER HAVING TWO PASSAGES THEREIN CONNECTED AT THEIR OUTER ENDS, THERE BEING ANNULAR SOCKETS AT THE INNER ENDS OF SAID PASSAGES OF A DIAMETER EXCEEDING THAT OF THE PASSAGES, SAID FIRST AND SECOND BODY MEMBERS HAVING INTEGRAL COUPLING MEMBERS AT THEIR OUTER ENDS FITTINGLY AND SLIDABLY ENGAGED IN SAID SOCKETS IN THE INNER END OF SAID THIRD BODY MEMBER, SAID BODY MEMBERS ALL BEING OF MOLDED THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL, A REINFORCING SLEEVE FITTINGLY EMBRACING THE INNER END PORTION OF THE THIRD BODY MEMBER HAVING SAID SOCKETS THEREIN, SAID SLEEVE BEING COUNTER SUNK INTO SAID THIRD BODY MEMBER SO THAT ITS OUTER SURFACE IS FLUSH WITH THE OUTER SURFACE THEREOF, AND COACTING SNAP FASTENER MEMBERS OF THE SOCKETS AND STUD TYPE FIXEDLY SECURED ON OPPOSED SIDES OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND BODY MEMBERS IN SUBSTANTIALLY SPACED RELATION TO THE END PORTIONS THEREOF ENGAGED IN SAID SOCKETS IN SAID THIRD BODY MEMBER, SAID BODY MEMBERS BEING PROVIDED WITH TONE CONTROLLING KEYS WHICH ARE DISPOSED FOR MANIPULATION WHEN THE BODY MEMBERS ARE IN THEIR ASSEMBLED RELATION. 